“Imma Be” Loving the Black Eyed Peas at MSG

Posted on February 26, 2010 by CenterOrch

Madison Square Garden is a storied venue, but not my favorite to see concerts.  I’m spoiled with the intimacy of so many other great venues in New York, so when an act blows into town at MSG, I attend reluctantly… But tonight’s special, as my entire crew of friends pile in to see Fergie Ferg (above, center) and the Black Eyed Peas!

We missed opening acts Ludacris and LMFAO, but were thrilled to see David Guetta in the house to spin a few tunes to warm up the crowd.  Resident DJ at Pacha in Ibiza, Guetta has become a worldwide sensation through his genious collaborations with the likes of Kelly Rowland, Akon and Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.  I heard he was spinning at Pacha New York later that night… just one block away from my apartment!  Strangely, the mafia (or stage crew) walked out and broke down his set before he could play “Sexy Bitch.”  Damn that NYC 11:00 p.m. concert curfew!

David Guetta

Finally, the Black Eyed Peas take the stage with “Let’s Get It Started.”  They go on to play all my favorites from past albums: “Don’t Phunk With My Heart,” “My Humps,” and “Where Is The Love?” as well as tunes from their latest, The E.N.D., including “Rock That Body,” “Imma Be,” “Rockin to the Beat,” and “Meet Me Half Way.”  My favorite performance by the entire band was “Missing You,” and Fergie shines.  She is a star, and Will.i.am is a brilliant producer and mixer.  I really didn’t know that about him until seeing this show.  The other two BEPs seem to pale in comparison to Will & Ferg.

About mid-way through the show, each BEP takes the stage as a solo artist, beginning with the two guys whose names have escaped me… But then Fergie takes the stage and pulls out all her hot solo singles, including “Fergalicious,” “Glamorous” and her mega hit, “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”  I’m just going to say it.  I love Fergie for two reasons: 1.) That voice.  She takes hits about her voice, but I think it’s pretty amazing.  Did you see Nine?  And I once saw her perform with Heart and she could hold her own next to Ann Wilson singing “Barracuda.”  2.) She’s a hot tranny.  Gorgeous?  Mannish?  What was she wearing?  Artists like her stand out.  There’s nothing boring about Fergie.  Oh, and then there’s Josh.  She fascinates me.

Will.i.am’s solo DJ set (above) got mixed reviews among my friends, but I thought it was pretty fun.  Michael Jackson, Eurythmics, and other artists’ songs diversified the night’s music and made it less “all about the Black Eyed Peas.”  Will’s set was a little self-indulgent, but I liked it.  In the E.N.D., the four peas reunited and closed the show with “Boom Boom Pow,” and the biggest hit of their careers, “I Gotta Feeling.”  David Guetta joined them, along with Ludicrus for the final song.  Pretty cool to see all that talent on the stage of Madison Square Garden.  Only in New York.

Filed under: Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Fergie | 1 Comment »

Sutton Foster & Joey McIntyre at True Colors Cabaret

Posted on February 23, 2010 by CenterOrch

Sutton Foster channeling Jennifer Holliday. Photo: BroadwayWorld.com

Last night was the final installment of this season’s True Colors Cabaret, an extension of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors tour concept that marries the pop music world with Broadway to raise money and awareness for Broadway Impact and the True Colors Fund.  In an intimate setting at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency in NYC, tonight featured Broadway belter Sutton Foster and former NKOTB crooner Joey McIntyre.

Let’s start with the brilliant Ms. Foster.  She opens with “Something’s Coming,” from West Side Story, and I’m impressed with how well she can control that big voice of hers in such a small room.  Upon the song’s ending, she speculates that something is coming, maybe not today or tomorrow, but change is coming — LGBT equality, and that’s what the night is all about.  Atta girl!  Then she sang a beautifully nuanced “Up On The Roof” and a hilarious romp about “if you have an air conditioner, you’re the man for me.”  So cute, I’m quickly reminded how gifted a comedic actress she is. Perhaps that’s why she’s tapped to take on the funny lady roles on Broadway… from her Tony Award-winning turn as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Inga in Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein to Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical.

Photo: BroadwayWorld.com

My favorite part of the night was her “reaaaallly big belter songbook” bit when her musical director Michael Rafter (also of Thoroughly Modern Millie fame) unveiled five songs for an audience member to pick as her next number.  Bless the man who chose “And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Leaving)” from Dreamgirls.  Where do I begin?  Sutton claims it’s the first time she’s ever performed the song publicly and she’s giddily flustered about performing it.  She confesses afterward that she can only sing the song by channeling the great Jennifer Holliday, which she did, facial expressions, grunts, gasps and all.  My abs are now ripped and my head still hurts from laughing so hard.  She’s the real deal folks, fabulous and hysterical all at once.

Joey McIntyre, Natascia Diaz and Jerry Dixon. Photo: BroadwayWorld.com

Next up was the youngest of the New Kids On The Block, Joey McIntyre.  First of all, it was pretty awesome to walk into the lobby of the Loews Hotel before the show to see it crowded with 30s-something women with cameras and NKOTB memorabilia.  1988 all over again.  Seriously, my friend Brian and I were the only guys there until about 10 minutes before the show started.  Joey looks good. He’s a small guy, but with the right songs, has a really nice voice.  Highlights included his opener, “L.O.V.E. (L is for the way you look at me)” and “Louder Than Words” from Jonathan Larson’s off-Broadway hit Tick Tick BOOM in which he starred with Natascia Diaz and Jerry Dixon.

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More L.O.V.E. for V.V. Brown

Posted on February 18, 2010 by CenterOrch

In less than one month, I’ve been fortunate to catch the red-hot talent of U.K. sensation V.V. Brown three times!  I fell under V.V.’s spell last month at Spaceland in LA, and now she’s on the right coast winning over hearts and dancefloors with performances in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

On President’s Day, I corralled seven friends and ventured to Brooklyn Bowl to catch V.V.’s free performance at the uber cool, ultra chic bowling venue.  Have you seen this place?  Live music, weathered leather sofas everywhere, top shelf margaritas for $3 (before 7:00) and an impressive menu designed by the good folks at Blue Ribbon.  The fried chicken was the best I’ve tasted since moving away from the South, and french fries with cheddar, provolone and gravy?   Whaaaa?   Crazy amazing good.

But on with the show.  V.V. appears in a subtle and stylish headdress with a ribbon of red war paint across her eyes with a tom-tom drumstick in one hand and megaphone in the other to perform “Everybody.”  She whips the crowd into a frenzy fast with “Game Over,” “Bottles,” “Quick Fix,” and one of my favorites, “L.O.V.E.”  After she performs “Crying Blood” she talks about her mother and her Jamaican descent, and reprises “Crying Blood” the way her mother would sing it all reggae style… “I’m crying blood, blood!”  Very cool.  V.V.’s versatility as an artist shines brighter as she covers Drake’s hip-hop anthem, “Best I Ever Had.”  She closes with her hit, “Shark in the Water,” which I predict will be a contender for the 2010 Song of the Summer.

Two days later, I’m graciously invited to a private V.V. performance at Hiro Ballroom by my friends Brian and April at Glamour magazine (thank you!!).  But now, the three of us are officially stalking her.  This time, she comes out in a much more flamboyant feather mask and performs the same line-up of songs as she did in Brooklyn, save “Leave!” for “Quick Fix.”

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El Perro Del Mar at Le Poisson Rouge

Posted on February 17, 2010 by CenterOrch

Tonight I stepped foot inside Le Poisson Rouge on Bleecker Street in the West Village for the first time to check out El Perro Del Mar, the Swedish singer now touring North America to support her new album, Love is Not Pop.

El Perro Del Mar (literally meaning “the dog from the sea” in Spanish) is actually a solo artist named Sarah Assbring.   Interesting character.  I believe there are artists who are entertainers, and there are those who are hard-core musicians who have no interest in being entertainers and Sarah is the latter.  Like Alison Goldfrapp, she is a brilliant artist and performer, but in between sets, she’s shy, timid, with little to no rapport with the audience.

The song that piqued my interest in her is “Change of Heart,” which has an incredible video to support it, and was recently remixed by fellow Swede Robyn (very cool, btw).  The song “L is for Love” is strong too.  I wish I knew her music better before seeing her, particularly her older stff.  My impression of her was that her style was very soft and quiet, but she’s actually quite engaging to watch.  What I love about her is that she tends to lose herself half-way into a song and goes to a place like she’s the only one in the room.  That’s the sign of a passionate artist who is deeply connected to their lyrics and music.  And when you believe in yourself like that, you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to further “entertain” the crowd.

Just a side note:  It was a snowy, icy, freezing Tuesday night in New York City for the El Perro Del Mar show.  Le Poisson Rouge was a full-house.  You gotta love this town.

Filed under: El Perro Del Mar | 1 Comment »

Oh Fascination… La Roux at Webster Hall

Posted on February 12, 2010 by CenterOrch

I have been so excited to see British electro-pop group La Roux ever since I downloaded their debut album late last year.  I missed them when they played Hiro Ballroom in October, but not this time.  I’m thrilled to be up front and CenterOrch for the Golden Tour’s stop at Webster Hall.  La Roux (btw) is a band — not a solo artist — though I learned that “La Roux” means “the red-haired one,” obviously inspired by front woman Elly Jackson’s insanely coiffed ‘do!

My affection for La Roux is rooted in their ’80s-inspired sound, clearly influenced by the likes of the Human League, Depeche Mode and Yazoo.  Yet it is the Yaz parallel that intrigues me most because I heart YAZ!  While Elly Jackson may not have the vocal chops of the great, great Alison Moyet, her voice is certainly distinctive.  She loves the spotlight and that hair and androgynous fashion sense screams “pay attention to me!”  It all makes her sort of an odd-ball, unexpected pop star, but in a very good way… just like Ms. Moyet!  Then you compare the reclusive, behind-the-scenes electro-synth work of Ben Langmaid to the brilliant and shy Vince Clarke and the parallel becomes more evident.  Is La Roux the new Yazoo?  Only time will tell.

My timing is impeccable as I checked my coat, got a beer and maneuvered my way to a decent spot just as the lights fade and La Roux kicks things off with “Tigerlily.”  Elly works the stage in a gold lame jacket and is clearly soaking up the adoration of her New York fans, then works through most of my favorite songs off their debut CD including “Reflections are Protection,” “Quicksand” and one of my favorites, “Fascination.”

But things really got going when crowd pleasers “I’m Not Your Toy” and “In For The Kill” were performed.  “In For The Kill” was especially brilliant as a rouge light flooded the stage and Elly went on and on and on with her “oooohhhhhhs.”  She’s good at those!  They quickly left the stage and came back for one encore, their best known hit, “Bulletproof.”

All in all, a really good show.  If I had two wishes, it would be for La Roux to have performed “Armour Love” and “As If By Magic,” and played maybe 30 minutes longer… I don’t know if they even performed for an entire hour?  It was a short set but I’m satisfied and excited to see them again.  If you don’t have their CD, go to iTunes and get it now!

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Va Va Va V.V. Brown! A Star is Born at Spaceland, LA

Posted on February 10, 2010 by CenterOrch

For my first report off the island of Manhattan, I find myself at Spaceland in LA’s Silver Lake neighborhood.  I’m here for Grammy Week and my friend Arjan’s third SuperFraiche installment of super fresh pop music talent!  Tonight is headliner is the stunning V.V. Brown and featuring Reni Lane, Love Grenades and Scott Simons.

Pianist/singer-songwriter Scott Simons, who performed at the premiere SuperFraiche in New York last year, got things started with a number of new songs that really resonated with me, including “Landmine,” and “Close Second.”  He was followed by LA-based rockers Love Grenades, a favorite of Sam Sparro’s apparently.  Frontwoman Liz Wright was half rocker chick Kelly Osbourne, half flirty pop chick Katy Perry.  A lot of fun.

Reni Lane. Photo: Billy Diesel courtesy of ArjanWrites.com

But Reni Lane was in my ears and in my mind.  I met Reni at a SuperFraiche event in New York in November and she swept me away with her infectious songs and spirit.  This time, I was lucky to get to chat with her before the show.  She told me it’s her debut in LA and her first gig with a new band.  Her first album drops in March, and she will “quietly” tour before going on a bigger tour in the Spring and Summer.  So this is her tour band… Nice guys and rockier/grittier than her studio band.  I’m looking forward to her new CD which will feature her burgeoning hits, “Place for Us” and “Runaway Train.”  “Never Be Another You” is also one of my favorites.

Finally, V.V. Brown takes the stage.  And with all due respect to the artists who performed before her, V.V. took this event to a whole new level.  This British import blew me away.  Defying category, she’s bee-bop, hip-hop, R&B and beach party all wrapped in one, and had me at “Leave!”  Before I saw her U.S. debut at Spaceland, I had only seen videos of her on YouTube.  She’s softer and prettier in person as her videos seem to frame her as edgier, Grace Jones-ier.

I got to meet her before the show and she’s a baby doll.  Very nice, so excited to be living in LA (two weeks now!), and ready to conquer the states.  She told me she’ll be on a 31-date tour this summer.  I already plan to see her on President’s Day in Brooklyn and two days later at Hiro Ballroom in New York (stalking V.V. Brown, please!).  Surrounded with all kinds of percussion instruments, gongs and a megaphone, she appears on stage wearing a Mardi Gras krewe mask and opens with “Leave!” then brought down the house with her new new single “Game Over” and sent everyone into the Spaceland stratosphere with her closer, and biggest hit to date, “Shark in the Water” (already No. 1 in UK and France!!).  Could this be the U.S. 2010 song of the summer?

It’s January and V.V. Brown may already be one of my favorite new artists of 2010.  Her debut CD, Traveling Like the Light, just dropped and is available on iTunes now.  Watch out for her, and watch out for sharks in the water!  Thanks again, Arjan, for another great night of super fresh pop music!

Silly ArjanWrites in Red, with me at Spaceland, LA

Filed under: Reni Lane, V.V. Brown | Leave a Comment »

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